When Jesus came into the world it was a dark place with lots of depression and not a lot of hope. The people were also being oppressed by the Roman empire. People were just getting by day to day hoping that tomorrow would be better. To make this more they have not heard from God in 400 years. This was due to the disobedience from the previous generations. People needed and were hoping for a relief from this lifestyle. The people’s heart was very heavy and burdened.

There is a reason why the first words spoken to the shepherds about the birth of Christ was this.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10 ESV)

Joy for all people this was not for a select group this was for everyone. This joy was something only the savior could give you it was and is available for all people. How can there be and why can you have joy?

[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11 ESV)

A savior is born...someone that will set you free from all this darkness and bring you light. This savior will bring you what? JOY!! Why was the world so dark before? What made it so hard and why is there no joy?

It was the absence of Christ in peoples heart. God was silent for all this time and without Christ there can be no joy but now that Jesus is here God is in communication with His children and He once again is present in their lives. Folks, joy is easily mistaken with happiness, but happiness is something that comes up in an instant and only last for a short while. Joy is something that is in your heart and something that you choose and something you get when you choose Jesus. Each day you have the choice to choose joy and joy = Jesus. Without Jesus in your live there cannot be any joy. Think of it this way if Jesus brings joy then what is the opposite? Satan is the joy killer he is out every day to steal your joy he will put stuff in your path to get your focus of, of Jesus and to focus on your problem. So here is where your free will comes in. You have the option and choice to choose what you will focus on. I want to encourage you to stop the vicious cycle satan is trying to get on and choose Jesus!

I remember before I chose Jesus as my personal Lord and savior I walked around with a void in my heart (just like the Israelites did at the time of Jesus birth). This was a void that I could not fill that was the void of joy in my heart. I had times of happiness but never could fill that void.

So this Christmas season if you have that empty dark spot on your heart and you are feeling oppressed and in search of something, something that you can’t fill. Choose Jesus!! He will fill your heart with a joy that you will not be able to describe!

Joy ……… It’s a matter of your heart. Jesus came to give you that Joy so choose Him and let him fill His spot in your heart and Live.